Digital prototypes allow engineers to simulate systems within the early phase of vehicle design. The virtual vehicle can examine real-world tasks using simulation. Complex drive cycle studies are being conducted with these digital simulations to look at peak temperature during operation and where these peak temperatures occur. This can be done early in the design phase, reducing both the cost and time of requiring physical hardware to be made and tested.

CD-adapco has been involved with simulating vehicle systems for over 20 years. The simulation has matured over this period from initially looking at front-end airflow to now investigating complex drive cycles for detailed component temperature history. Front-end airflow at one time took weeks to complete, it can now be initiated from CAD to results overnight. For full vehicle thermal prediction the challenge today is efficiently turning thousands of CAD parts into thermal models including radiation, conduction and convection.

With these detailed models, drive cycle tests that are normally done with the initial prototypes can be enacted through simulation. This enables early detection of thermal issues before the first hardware is built. Critically, it also enables optimization at the early concept phase.

This webcast examines vehicle simulation and significant key enablers making an impact on vehicle design through simulation.